Flippo signs with Eagles

John Bland
Publisher

Walnut Ridge High School senior Hunter Flippo has taken a big step toward fulfilling one of his dreams. A standout in football, basketball and baseball at WRHS, Flippo plans to narrow his focus to baseball after graduation.

In a Thursday morning ceremony, he signed his letter of intent and athletic scholarship agreement to play baseball with the Williams Baptist College Eagles.

"This is something I've dreamed about - playing college baseball and being an Eagle," Flippo said. He is also pleased that Williams is in his hometown and that it will also be convenient for family and friends to see his games.

A factor in his decision to play at Williams is his close relationship with Frank Lee, the head Eagles baseball coach, and with Chad Broadway, an assistant Eagles baseball coach.

"The recruiting process started while he was an eighth grader," Lee said of Flippo. "By the time he started high school, you could see the potential was there."

"We have stayed in close contact. I feel blessed to be signing him," Lee said. "He has a very good opportunity to play right away (as a freshman)," he added.

Flippo also has a history with Coach Broadway, who served last season as an unpaid volunteer assistant for the Bobcat baseball team under Coach Derek Bramlett.

For the Bobcats, Flippo has played center field and pitcher, amassing a 5-1 record in pitching last season.

Coach Bramlett shared several other statistics from Flippo's junior season with the Bobcats. He had a hitting average of .452, had six homeruns, 49 RBIs and stole 14 bases. His earned run average was 2.85, and he also struck out approximately 42 batters.

Flippo was an All-Conference baseball selection his freshman, sophomore and junior years, and he also received All-State honors as a junior.

During the 2012 summer, Flippo played American Legion Baseball on the Paragould 7-Up Team. During that season, he amassed these stats: batting average, .456; RBIs, 33; homeruns, 2; and stolen bases, 22. The team also made it to the semifinals in the state tournament held in North Little Rock.

For the present and near future, Flippo will be concentrating on his basketball and baseball seasons at WRHS.

Coach Bramlett said the outlook is bright for this year's baseball Bobcats. Most of his players, including a large group of talented seniors, are returning. "We've got high expectations for the team this year."